Respect Our Elders

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Thursday morning, the 7th of March, 2024, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. 

We go to the Book of Psalms 71:18: 

"Now also when I am old and grayheaded,
O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to everyone who is to come."

As we get older, we have a tremendous responsibility to the younger generation. Old age is not something to be afraid of, no - it is something to look forward to. I want to say to older folk we must never demand respect from young people. No, we earn respect from young people.  

Dr David Livingstone, that Scottish medical doctor and missionary who went into Africa, when he came to a village, the first man he would always seek out would be the elder. He was normally the herbalist, and this medical doctor would sit there and was amazed at how many things he learned from these older people. They had certain bark from a certain tree, and when they boiled it up, it was good for sore tummies. There were some other leaves that when you boiled up and when it was cold, you put a poultice on a boil or if you had a problem with eczema, whatever it was, for the eyes, and he would sit there, and he would respect them, and he would listen to them and learn from them.

The First Nation people in America have a saying. "When an old man dies, it is like a library that burns down." I want to say to younger people listening to this message, please do not waste time, go and sit with your grandfather, your grandmother, your aunt, your uncle, that old person and let them talk to you. They will tell you many stories and many incidents of their own lives which will help you. I have the privilege at the moment of mentoring a large group of men and every year we meet together. It's one of the highlights of my year and as I am getting older, I am finding that I am talking less and listening more, and some of these men that I mentor, every year that I see them they are getting a little bit of snow on the top of their heads! They are becoming wise men themselves. Today, let us respect our elders and thank Jesus for the years He has given us because there are many who never live to see their grandchildren and even their great grandchildren. 

God bless you and have a wonderful day,
Goodbye.